International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 8, Issue 7, July-2017
ISSN 2229-5518
AUTOMATIC TYRE INFLATION SYSTEM
ANEESH RS, BABU M, BHUVANESH, BHARAT S,MR RAJKUMAR DEPARTMENT OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SRI RAMAKRISHNA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, COIMBATORE
babuchinnaa@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Driven by studies, if there is a drop in tire
pressure by a few PSI can result in the reduction
of gas mileage, tire life, safety, and vehicle
performance. We have developed an automatic
tire inflation system that ensures the tires are
properly inflated constantly. Our design proposes
and successfully implements the use of a
compressor which is centralized and will supply
air to all four tires through hoses and a rotary
joint which is fixed between the wheel spindle and
wheel hub at each wheel. The rotary joints
effectively allow air to the tires without the
tangling the hoses. With the recent oil price hikes
and growing concern of environmental issues, this
system addresses a potential improvement in gas
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mileage; tire wear reduction; and an increase in
handling and tire performance in diverse
conditions
INTODUCTION
Improperly inflated tires are quite common
problems on passenger vehicles. In fact, 80% of
passenger vehicles on the road have at least one
under-inflated tire and 37% of passenger cars have at
least one tire that is 20 percent or more under-inflated
. Often pressure loss in tires is a result of natural
permeation of the gas through the unpredictable
rubber, road conditions (such as potholes), and
seasonal changes in. Most vehicle owners are
unaware of the fact that their tires are not at the exact
pressures because it is difficult to determine the tire
pressure visually; a tire that is properly inflated to the
accurate pressure looks very similar to one that is
either over-inflated or under- inflated. Thus, from the
lookout of passenger vehicle owners, they are losing
money due to increased tire wear and decreased fuel
efficiency, and a clarification needs to be found to
correct this issue. From the perspective of the
designers, however, the root cause of improperly-
inflated tires is due to vehicle owners not knowing
appropriate tire pressures for certain conditions,
trouble finding an air pump, lack of pressure
calculating device, and a general lack of concern.
Thus, the combination of the user and expert
perspectives will be used to make decisions in the
design process of this product.
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rsaneesh007@gmail.com
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
The overall goal of our design project is to
develop a system that will decrease tire wear while
improving fuel economy, performance and safety of
a passenger vehicle through dynamically- adjustable
tire pressures. However, there are several key
objectives that the team has targeted our design to
meet, and these objectives include both design
characteristics and business objectives.
ABILITY TO PROVIDE PROPER TYRE
PRESSURE
The ideal functional objective of the
design is its capability to adjust the pressures in
all four tires of a passenger vehicle to obtain
the proper pressure for varying road/driving
conditions. Specifically, it is desired that:
• As vehicle speed increases, the tire
pressures increases.
• As vehicle speed decreases,
the tire pressures decreases.
• As vehicle load increases, the
tire pressures increases.
• As vehicle load decreases, the
tire pressures decreases.
Based on more detailed research on the
components necessary for the system, it was
discovered that a specialized rotary joint must be
designed to support this process. This design
consideration requisite additional product
development time that was not originally
anticipated. Therefore, the ideal functional
objectives have been modified to account for
this design requirement. Specifically, the new
objectives require that: Cold tire pressure is
maintained by ensuring that the rotary joint-
shaft system does not fail.
• Cold tire pressure is retained by ensuring
that the rotary-joint shaft system does not
leak extremely.
• Cold tire pressure is retained by ensuring
that the entire system (compressor, air
tubes, rotary joint, etc.) can provided
sufficient flow rate.
Because of the detailed level of explanation
required for these items, these objectives are
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 8, Issue 7, July-2017
ISSN 2229-5518
discussed numerically in the Engineering
Analysis and Optimization section of this
document.
METHODOLOGY
After referring numerous papers we got
many ideas. This system consists of centralized
compressor, rotary joint, pressure sensor, electronic
control circuit, battery, wheel and a motor to run the
wheel. After gathering ideas of different components
needed, we will start making rough design and after
that we will draw a 3-D model in Auto CAD.
By referring this 3D model we would buy
the standard component required for the projects.
After this we would start manufacturing work in
workshop. Along with this electronics part would also
be done. In electronics we would have to build
controller circuit to get signal from pressure. After
this, the assembly of various components would be
done. Later testing will be started for getting various
results.
A. Steps:
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Steps for Methodology
B. System Design & Cad Model:
The project work has been started with
literature review as below. After referring quite a few
papers we got many ideas. From those ideas we
started developing a typical air inflation system as
follows figure 2 & figure 3.
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IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE
SYSTEM 1.Rotary Joint:
Rotary joint or a Rotary Union is a device that
provides a seal between a stationary passage and a
rotating part. Stationary passage may be a pipe or
tubing; whereas rotating parts are a drum, spindle or
a cylinder. Thus it permits the flow of the fluid in or
out of the rotating part. Generally the fluids that are
used with the rotary joints and rotating unions are
steam, water, oil, hydraulic fluids etc. A rotary union
will lock onto an input valve while rotating to meet
an outlet. During this time the liquid or gas will flow
into the rotary union from its source and will be
seized within the device during its movement. This
liquid or gas will leave the union when the valve
openings meet during rotation and more liquid or gas
will flow into the union again for the next rotation.
2.Pressure Sensor:
A pressure sensor measures the pressure of gases or
liquids. It produces a signal as a function of the
pressure imposed; in the system such signal is
electrical. Pressure sensors can also be used to
measure other parameters such as fluid/gas flow,
speed and water level. Pressure sensors can otherwise
be called as pressure transducer, pressure
transmitters, pressure indicators, piezometers and
manometers among other names.
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ISSN 2229-5518
526

3.Compressor: 9 Hoses Polyvinyl chloride(PVC)

The system uses compressor to get the air
from atmosphere and to compress it to a required
pressure. A 12V DC compressor has been used in our
system. It is perfect for cars, bikes and inflators. It
operates from the cigarette lighter socket of a DC-
12V. Proper design has been set up for fixing hose
and cord. It is ideal for inflating all vehicle tires and
other high-pressure inflators. The following table
shows the specification of our portable compressor.
Operating Pressure 0-70 psi
Range (psi)
Voltage Supply 12 V DC
Weight 1.5 kg
Dimensions 21.9*17.3*12.5cm
10 DC motor 12V DC ,100rpm
SYSTEM WORKING
In this system, compressor is connected to
the wheel with the help of hoses through a rotary
joint. Pressure sensor and control circuit are attached
between wheel and compressor. Two limits (upper
limit and lower limit i.e. 20psi and 30 psi
individually) are set in the control circuit for
automatic start and stop of compressor. Compressor
works on 12V DC supply that is either a car battery or
a bike or a adapter. A non-return valve is placed
between pressure sensor and compressor, so that the
air flow must be unidirectional from compressor to
tire.
When the pressure reduces below the lower
limit in the tyre during its rotation, pressure sensor
senses the air drop and starts the compressor and
solenoid valve automatically for filling of air into the
tyre with the help of control circuit. As soon as the
pressure crosses the set upper limit (30psi),
compressor stops working with the help of pressure

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sensor and control circuit. In this way, a proper
required tire pressure is maintained.

CONCLUSION
The automatic-self-inflating tire system would be
capable of succeeding as a new product in the
Calculation: automotive supplier industry. It explicitly addresses
1) Compressor Selection: the needs of the consumers by maintaining
For tyre pressure of 30 psi appropriate tire pressure conditions for:
Where, 1 psi = 0.06895 • Reduced tire wear
bar Therefore, • Increased fuel economy
• Increased overall vehicle safety
30 psi = 30*0.06895 bar = 2.0684 bar = 2.1 bar Because such a product does not currently exist for
(approx.) Therefore, we are choosing 12V D.C., 5.5 the widely held passenger vehicles, the market
bar compressor for tyre pressure of 30 to 35psi. conditions would be advantageous for the
introduction of a self-inflating tire system.
COMPONENTS SPECIFICATIONS
REFERENCES
Sn.
[1] Hemant Soni, Pratik Golar, Ashwin Kherde
Description Specifications
No. “DESIGN OF AUTOMATIC TYRE
1 Compressor 70 psi (5.516 bar) 12V INFLATION SYSTEM”
D.C. Vol.1,Issue.4/April. 2014 ISSN: 2347-5420.
[2] P.Omprakash, T.Senthil Kumar, “M.A.R.S -
Size= 1/2”, Pressure= 10
2 Rotary Joint Mechanized Air Refilling System”.
kg/cm 2 [3] Case study on AUTOMATIC TYRE
Pressure Pressure range = 0-100 INFLATION MANAGEMENT.
3
Sensor psi [4] ALEXANDER VARGHESE, “Influence of Tyre
4 Bearings Roller bearing ,Carbon Inflation Pressure on Fuel Consumption, Vehicle
Steel Handling and Ride Quality Modelling and
5 Chain Sprocket No. of teeth =18, Carbon Simulation”.
[5] John Woodrooffe, “EFFECTS OF TIRE
wheel steel
INFLATION PRESSURE AND CTI ON ROAD
6 Shaft Carbon Steel LIFE AND VEHICLE STABILITY”.
7 Structure 30”*20”*13”, Mild Steel
8 Wheel Sulked Vehicle

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